I still feel it could be interpreted that he is talking about his chance to make Americans, but I could of course be wrong. With your explanation, to me it now makes sense both ways. The reality is that the international field is currently very strong, and the American field is relatively weak, so Lysacek has a decent chance to do well on the American team while still having not much chance of excelling at the Olympics. If Plushenko is really physically ready for the Olympics, that makes at least--hmmm; five people ahead of Lysacek at his best. Even without Plushy, there are still Takahashi, Hanyu, Chan, Fernandez, maybe others.

It would still be a significant achievement if Lysacek could at least get himself to the Games (meaning that he was one of America's top two) and make it into the top five or six in Sochi. With his ability to skate for points, he might not need a quad to attain a standing like that. All this is speculation, of course, and keep in mind that I'm no kind of expert on technical details.

I really think he was talking about the Olympics and worldwide competition but the context can lead to differences in interpretation.

Top five with no quad would be mind boggling! I am thinking all level 4 non jump elements backloading of all jumps-nothing not in the bonus and like 9.5 all pcs.

Originally Posted by LRK

Something that struck me in the article was this:

"He's recovering from his injuries and his surgeries which were a lot more extensive than a lot of people know. It's getting better and better but he is in pain and he has to be very careful with how much he does. I don't know in figure skating if someone has tried to come back from that level of injury."

I'm curious as to this assertion by Mr Carroll (specifically the part I've underlined - not the former part, which I've merely quoted for context). Thoughts?

I think of hongbo zhaos ruptured Achilles as something that really might have been the worst thing anyone came back from! Based on all previously published reports there's nothing lysacek has dealt with that is rare.

I think of hongbo zhaos ruptured Achilles as something that really might have been the worst thing anyone came back from! Based on all previously published reports there's nothing lysacek has dealt with that is rare.

Surya came back after the same injury as Hongbo, but her jumps were much worse as she lost her 3F and 3Z. I cannot image a male skater successfully coming back after a worse injury than that.

Evan did quads in practice at Sun Valley. However, he did not include quads in the two programs that he skated in the 'Sun Valley on Ice' show.

IMO, Evan is someone who plans well and very determined (much like Plushenko). It is likely he has a quad to show. Not including the quads in a show program is understandable. Why pound your body unncessarily if it's not required?

I wouldnt be one bit surprised if none of Chan, Lysacek, or Plushenko are on the podium in Sochi. In fact I will be extremely surprised if either Plushenko or Lysacek are on the Sochi podium, and not one bit surprised if neither of them are even at the Games period. Chan is the only one of those three who is a real contender but I could see him coming anywhere from 1st to 5th at this point (I have a feeling it will be 3rd or 4th though).

Wonderful chatter. Evan has that Katarina Witt thing going on in some ways. You wonder how he won - oh no here comes the defenders and attackers lol, with no quad in Vancouver and really not the skating skills or style of Lambiel, Chan or even a Buttle who though not in Vancouver you get the idea. Evan is a good competitor and somehow things go his way so he might get a bit of luck and win nationals or second. His quads are like alot of skaters and we are afraid to say it but all talk but can they do it when it counts. Chan, Fernandez and Reynolds (maybe Plushy if he heals in time) are probably the most consistent but even they make mistakes. Next Joubert, Takahashi, Kozuka, hanyu are fairly solid but Evan has yet to show he has the mettle. It might be best if he tries to make the US team and pull s out or fades into the darkness. I really would like Chan, Takahasi and Hanyu or Fernandez or heck Max or Reynolds to have thier moment in the sun on the podium. But Evan is a figher and Evan is able to seize the day when it counts and Evan is Evan - lucky and seems to skate well enough to do what needs to be done. Don't count him out.